I wrote about Ace Books (here) and their novel use of the tête-bêche binding technique which allowed two titles to be included in one volume that the reader would have to physically turn over in order to read the other book. These Ace Doubles as they were called have since gone on to become much sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike proving to be as popular now as they were when first issued.

I have luckily amassed a modest collection of these books over the years and so once again present six more volumes bearing a total of twelve covers for your perusal. As ever, I have included the Ace serial number each listing to allow for easy identification. If you enjoy this selection then be sure to come back next week for a further choice of cover artwork. Your comments are encouraged and as welcome as always.

The Million Year Hunt by Kenneth Bulmer
(Serial Number F-285)
This version was published in 1964 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Ed Emshwiller

Ships To The Stars by Fritz Leiber
(Serial Number F-285)
This version was published in 1964 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Jack Gaughan

Contraband From Otherspace by A. Bertram Chandler
(Serial Number G-609)
This version was published in 1967 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Kelly Freas

Reality Forbidden by Philip E. High
(Serial Number G-609)
This version was published in 1967 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Jack Gaughan

The Water Of Thought by Fred Saberhagen
(Serial Number M-127)
This version was published in 1965 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Jerome Podwil

We, The Venusians by John Rackham
(Serial Number M-127)
This version was published in 1965 by Ace Books
The cover artist is thought to be Jack Gaughan

Technos by E. C. Tubb
(Serial Number 27415)
This version was published in 1972 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Harry Bergman

The next book arrived rather sadly in several pieces after an obviously very rough crossing from France. I immediately got out my bookbinders glue, rubber bands and wooden braces to try and salvage this sorry looking mess of paper. This side remained pretty much unscathed so not much work for me to do here to restore its dignity once again in your library.

A Scatter Of Stardust by E. C. Tubb
(Serial Number 79975)
This version was published in 1972 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Karol Thole

It would appear that this side of the book took all the force as the page block had completely separated from the inner spine, the cover was pulled off and badly twisted. It’s not a perfect fix by any means but at least it holds together firmly now and therefore successfully avoiding the inevitable disintegration of two otherwise unreadable pair of books.

The Caves Of Mars by Emil Petaja
(Serial Number M-133)
This version was published in 1965 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Alex Schomburg

Space Mercenaries by A. Bertram Chandler
(Serial Number M-133)
This version was published in 1965 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Gray Morrow

The Wagered World by Laurence M. Janifer and S. J. Treibich
(Serial Number 81680)
This version was published in 1969 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Jack Gaughan

Tonight We Steal The Stars by John Jakes
(Serial Number 81680)
This version was published in 1969 by Ace Books
The cover artist is Kelly Freas

8 thoughts on “The Two Dimensional World Of Ace Doubles, Part Two”

I think my favorite cover is Technos by E. C. Tubb. I’m a sucker for weird cityscapes. And that Space Mercenaries cover is creepy.

Also, I just picked up a copy of Tonight We Steal the Stars (and, for once, it’s in better condition than yours! haha — it’s what happens when you’re not a collector but solely a reader, as in, I buy books in poorer quality if they are cheaper).

Glad you liked that one J, it’s just a shame the book was so badly knocked about when it arrived. Space Mercenaries is pretty odd isn’t it. Great news on your acquisition of Stars – you just have to be there at the right time and pick up what you can despite the condition with books like these! I rarely ever turn down an Ace Double.

Bit late commenting on this posting! More wonderful cover art, especially good seeing Gaughan again, more memory jogging TP price stickers, and only one item I’ve had myself, We the Venusians, so lots of “ohh, I haven’t seen that before”. Keep it up please 🙂

Enjoying the Ace doubles – A couple I haven’t seen previously {there are so many!} Right at the beginning of my obsessive/addictive hunt for vintage American paperbacks & pulps, before Ebay & the connections I later made, I remember Forbidden Planet in Bristol having boxes of Ace doubles at £4.50. Although that was a bit pricey back then I still bought a few and looked longingly at them all on many occasions
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Like you I’ve picked up a good many over the years, along with the regular Ace Sci-Fi’s and they make a lovely few shelves on any bookcase.

Some of the early Sci-Fi doubles are quite valuable though not in the same league as the early ‘Crime’ titles {Junkie etc}

I must see if I have any doubles of these ‘doubles’ {I haven’t forgotten the Richard Powers Ballantine’s} The epic moving of books project is almost complete!

Great to hear from you Julian, I’m pleased this one has been such a memory jogger for folks such as yourself. I’ve two more parts planned so stay tuned, I can’t promise any real rarities as they command far too high prices for me but there may be some familiar old faces.

Glad to hear the book moving project is going well, look forward to hearing more about those spares whenever you’re ready. Hope all’s well at your end Julian, best wishes to you and yours.